Gold
Gold has been one of the most prized substances known to man since before recorded history. We’re lucky today because we have a myriad number of ways to own gold, many of which are just a click or a phone call away here at ModernCoinMart! From ancient coins through world coins, Classic U.S. Gold and modern gold coins from the U.S. Mint and mints around the world, they’re all here for you today.
A Brief History of Gold & Gold Coins
Scientists say that much of gold was created by the collision of neutron stars in the far reaches of the galaxy. When the earth formed, asteroids brought gold to the surface of our planet. Gold is one of the heavier and least chemically reactive elements, giving it one of its most sought-after properties: it endures. Gold is not going away. It’s here to stay.
The relative scarcity and endurance of gold led to the striking of the first gold coins in ancient times. These early gold coins picturing gods and heroes were hand struck, one at a time, making each one a unique treasure. And they certainly are treasures. Many ancient gold coins are among the most valuable coins in existence.
During the Middle Ages, gold coins were still being struck; however, the discovery of the New World changed everything. The amount of gold flowing out of the mines was enormous, and the Spanish, who controlled much of it, used it to strike one of the most fabled coins of all times: The Gold Doubloon. Pirates killed for it, hurricanes sunk them by the chest full, and Captain Ahab nailed one to the mast of the Pequod, to be claimed by the first sailor who spotted Moby Dick.
When the United States of America was founded, this classic Spanish gold coin served as the model for all Classic U.S. Gold coins.
The Battle for Gold as Money
Up until World War I, gold coins were money, in fact gold was the only real money in most countries around the world. But all that was soon to change. The crushing cost of the war forced all of Europe to abandon the gold standard, and gold coins rapidly disappeared from circulation.
In the United States, the Mint stopped striking gold coins in 1933, and it was actually illegal for Americans to own gold for a time.
What Is the Most Popular Gold Coin?
Popular Gold Coins include the American Gold Eagle, the American Gold Buffalo, the South African Gold Krugerrand, and the Chinese Gold Panda.
ModernCoinMart also offers Gold Bullion from leading mints such as Johnson Matthey, PAMP Suisse, Credit Suisse, Valcambi, Sunshine Minting, Perth Mint, and more!
Over the world’s history, some believe that gold can offer security, protection, and peace of mind. Now there’s another reason: great collectible gold coins and bars from ModernCoinMart!
Are Gold Coins Still Being Made?
The United States began moving off the gold standard in 1933, something Britain had done in 1931. This was largely due to the lingering effects of World War I and the worldwide economic burden the Great Depression created. With all that being said, gold throughout the world is still being minted as “legal tender”, however, these bullion gold coins have made a resurgence and are meant primarily as collector pieces or even purchased for investment purposes.
Collecting Gold Coins
There is a difference between gold bars and gold coins because while all forms of pure gold have significant monetary value, not all quality gold is created equal. From an investment perspective, because gold coins often feature phenomenal designs and have historical significance, in addition to being issued by a sovereign government and therefore being legal tender, their cost per ounce may be higher due to their numismatic value even though they contain less gold than their gold bar counterparts. So, while collecting gold coins from an investing lens may not make much sense, from a collector’s point of view, it can be a rather lucrative and rewarding pursuit. It should be noted that some gold bars can be considered coins if they are issued by a sovereign mint and carry a denomination.
One of the most popular types of gold coins to collect are U.S. gold coins issued by the United States Mint, whose history dates all the way back to 1795. In addition to historical issues, the United States Mint continues to strike innovative gold coins each year. Other world mints also have their own unique gold coin history with a wealth of both historical and modern issues. How various collectors buy gold coins really depends upon the focus of the collection. While some gravitate towards issues by one specific mint, others may collect gold coins based on their different designs, variations, mint marks, and even key dates. Depending upon a collector’s focus, intensive research can be required to really understand the market and the hobby of coin collecting to make the most of their gold coin collection.
Investing in Gold Bars
Purchasing and/or investing in gold bars is one of the most standardized and popular ways to acquire bullion gold. Gold bullion comes in a variety of bars ranging from a few grams to 400 ounces. The most commonly available sizes, however, are anywhere between 1-ounce and 10-ounce bars.
There are also a number of factors to consider when purchasing gold bars for sale:
- Storage – It is possible to store gold at home, but some investors keep their gold in a safe-deposit box or with what is called a “custodian.” In either instance, there may be a fee to provide extra security for gold bullion bars.
- Insurance – Insurance policies for gold bullion are a popular choice for investors who want to protect their gold against theft, flooding, or other unforeseen circumstances where gold may be unretrievable.
- Purity – Buyers should research reputable dealers to check for a bar’s purity, form, size, and weight. Gold bars are typically at least 99.5% pure with the rest being an alloy of sorts, usually silver or copper.
- Size – For liquidity purposes, gold buyers should consider the size of their gold bullion bars. A great example would be if gold has a price point of $1,000 per ounce and someone has a 10-ounce gold bullion bar, that is worth $10,000 (not accounting for other factors such as premiums, mintage, condition, etc.). Selling such a large bar may be difficult, but if the buyer had 10 one-ounce bars, it would be much easier to sell these 1-ounce sections at $1,000 rather than a larger $10,000 chunk.
Purchasing Gold Coins & Bars from ModernCoinMart
ModernCoinMart (MCM) is one of the largest dealers of modern coins and precious metals on the internet, employing dedicated professionals with years of experience and a specialization in numismatics. We have been in continuous business since June 2004, exemplifying our dedication to providing the best and most expedient customer experience with the latest and newest gold coins and bars from all over the world.
Browse all of our gold coin and bar products from across the globe. Our catalog features robust gold coins and a variety of gold bars for sale.
